Edwin Nelson survived fierce battles as a Marine serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, the height of the war, his family said.

Then, in 1975, Nelson broke his neck in an accident that occurred during military maneuvers in North Carolina, said his former wife, Josephine Yungk of Enfield, Conn. The spinal cord injury led to other complications, including the amputation of both of his legs, she said.

By Maria Papadopoulos

The Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, MA

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Oct. 26, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 26, 2011 at 5:23 AM

By Maria Papadopoulos

Posted Oct. 26, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Oct 26, 2011 at 5:23 AM

Taunton

» Social News

Edwin Nelson survived fierce battles as a Marine serving in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, the height of the war, his family said.

Then, in 1975, Nelson broke his neck in an accident that occurred during military maneuvers in North Carolina, said his former wife, Josephine Yungk of Enfield, Conn. The spinal cord injury led to other complications, including the amputation of both of his legs, she said.

“It was a freak accident. He’s been in a wheelchair ever since,” said Yungk, 61.

Nelson’s challenging life came to a tragic end Monday afternoon, when Nelson was struck and killed by a Hyundai Elantra as he tried to cross Belmont Street, Route 123, in his motorized wheelchair.

Police identified the driver as Frank Dernoga, 26, of 11 Stanley Ave., Taunton, who was alone in the car. Police said Tuesday they did not know yet if Dernoga would face charges.

Nelson, 65, had started crossing the street against the streetlight, witnesses said. He was knocked off his wheelchair near the crosswalk and rolled into the street. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

A man who identified himself as Geoff Nelson, Nelson’s son, posted comments under Monday’s story on The Brockton Enterprise’s website forgiving Dernoga for the fatal accident.

“We do understand Frank Dernoga did not intend to hit our father,” he wrote. “My heart and prayers go out to him and his family. I know he is beside himself with grief as are we.”

The man wrote that his father helped doctors pioneer spinal-cord medicine over the last 36 years, along with several other patients with spinal-cord injuries living at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“My hats off to you all,” he wrote. “Dad I love you, miss you and will always remember you.”

A father of five, Edwin Nelson was loved by everyone who knew him and he enjoyed his life despite his disability, his former wife said.

“He was a fantastic guy. He would do anything for anyone at any time,” she said. “He was that good of a guy.”

Nelson’s death has drawn attention to safety issues for pedestrians – particularly disabled veterans – on Belmont Street, a busy state road off Route 24 traveled by thousands of motorists every day.

Constance T. Soares, who works in Brockton, called for the veterans hospital to have employees accompany disabled veterans when they travel off campus.

“They should be out, but let them be with a person who can keep them safe,” said Soares, 64, of Acushnet.

Soares said her brother, Gerald Sauve, a 66-year-old Vietnam veteran, lived at the Brockton veterans hospital for more than four decades. She said he was allowed to leave campus, “but because of his psychiatric conditions, he probably should not have, to a certain extent.”

Page 2 of 2 - When traveling on a busy road like Belmont Street, veterans need to be supervised, Soares said. She said she would often see Nelson traveling alone, and she once saw him drop a CD, and “desperately try to get it” from the street.

“It is sad,” Soares said. “I’ve seen the conditions of driving on Belmont Street. It’s atrocious.”

Pallis Wahl, a spokeswoman for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, said the facility evaluates each patient on an individual basis to assess care and supervision.

A treatment team that includes a doctor, nurse and social worker decides whether a patient needs an escort when outside the facility, Wahl said.

“It’s a case-by-case basis,” she said.

Others have come forward to pay tribute to Nelson for his military service.

Brad White, owner of New England Burials at Sea of Marshfield, has offered Nelson’s family a free cremation and scattering of Nelson’s ashes at sea, with full military honors.

The sea burial package, worth about $1,500, would serve as a tribute to Nelson, said White, who would often see Nelson traveling along Belmont Street in his wheelchair.

White said he was touched by the “strong-willed” man who tried to enjoy his changed life “after his brave and heroic service to our country.”

Meanwhile, Nelson’s family was making funeral arrangements in Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon. A gravesite service with military honors will be held for Edwin Nelson on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Windsor Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Windsor, Conn.